Gut microbiome and Alzheimer’s risk in Latino adults
Microbiome and AD/ADRD Risk in SOL
Researchers will compare gut bacteria, blood biomarkers, brain scans, and memory tests in older Latino adults to find links between microbes, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Lowell NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lowell, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261249 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a long-term group of Latino adults whose stool samples, blood tests, brain scans, and memory tests are tracked over time. Scientists will analyze gut microbiome DNA (metagenomics) alongside plasma markers of amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration, brain MRI images, and metabolomics to look for patterns that predict dementia. The work builds on the SOL cohort with ~15 years of follow-up and metagenomic data on over 2,200 participants and will include additional sample and data analyses. The team particularly focuses on understanding whether the microbiome helps explain higher Alzheimer risk seen in Latino communities and how diabetes may be involved.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are older Hispanic/Latino adults in the SOL cohort or similar community who can provide stool and blood samples and undergo memory testing and brain imaging, especially those with diabetes or other Alzheimer risk factors.
Not a fit: People expecting an immediate new treatment, those with non-Alzheimer dementias, or those unable to provide samples or complete scans and tests are unlikely to get direct medical benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to prevent or lower Alzheimer’s risk—such as microbiome-targeted diets, probiotics, or other treatments—especially for Latino communities.
How similar studies have performed: Prior small and mostly cross-sectional human studies have suggested links between gut microbes and dementia risk, but longitudinal and diverse-cohort work like this is relatively new and clinical effects remain unproven.
Where this research is happening
Lowell, United States
- University of Massachusetts Lowell — Lowell, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Palacios, Natalia — University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Study coordinator: Palacios, Natalia
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.